The historic wire bridge that spans the Carrabassett River in New Portland is believed to be the only one in Maine. It has recently undergone over $1 million in repairs. (Laura Dunham photo) NEW PORTLAND — One of the most famous landmarks in the State of Maine is just about finished getting a $1 million face lift. Work on the historic 198-foot-long wire suspension bridge started in June of 2008 and is about finished.

Resident engineer of bridge projects with the Department of Transportation Robert Pray said that the firm of Stetson and Watson Inc. out of Pittsfield was awarded the contract. The project was funded entirely through State funds, said Pray.

“It’s been a very slow process,” he said. It has taken about two years to complete the project. Pray noted that workers had to remove the existing outside wire wraps 10 feet at a time, taking wedges and driving them into the strands to separate them and then inspecting each one to make sure they were safe.

New wire wrap was placed all across the bridge and coated with boiled linseed oil to keep it from deteriorating; each strand was coated as the workers rewrapped them.

“It’s been so interesting working on what he believed to be the only wire suspended bridge in Maine. It’s one of a kind and I will probably never have another chance to oversee such a historical project again,” Pray said.

“It’s a very unique bridge; it can actually swing as it’s held together with cables and towers to keep it in place,” said Pray.

According to Robert Whitten the bridge was built in 1866. Whitten’s research discovered that David Elder was instrumental in building the bridge in 1864, which was completed in 1866.

It took a special act of legislation in 1959 for funds to be obtained from Somerset County, the town and the state before $35,000 could be appropriated for repairs to the bridge. The monies were raised and the restoration was completed in 1961. Once the work was finished, the bridge was then turned over to the state which assumed the repairs.

The bridge was dedicated in 1990 and recognized by The Maine Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. A monument was erected near the bridge stating that the New Portland Wire Suspended Bridge is the only one of it’s kind currently being traveled across daily.

Picnic tables are located along the shore of the Carrabassett River overlooking the Wire Bridge and are used throughout the summer by tourists who come from miles around to see the structure.